Smart Technology Dominance: How Big Tech Defines Future

In 2025, the world’s largest technology companies are spending record amounts on smart technologies and artificial intelligence - AI. Reports show that Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta together may invest more than US$364 billion this year in AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, and data centers. Investors have welcomed this growth, even though some experts question whether such high spending can last.

At the same time, researchers warn that when only a few companies control most of the AI market, it creates risks for competition, innovation, and governance. These issues affect not only the technology industry but also the wider economy.

• Why are major technology companies investing so heavily in smart technologies,
  and what does this mean for the technology landscape?
• How do these investments affect venture capital, institutional investors, and startups?
• Risks of depending on only a few companies to provide most of the world’s smart technology infrastructure.
• Opportunities and challenges this creates for Singapore and the Asia‑Pacific region as technology and investment come together.

Panellist: Maya Hari, Impact Investor, Modern Manifesto Ventures

Maya Hari is an impact investor and global tech leader with deep experience in scaling platforms and backing purpose-driven innovation. She is the co-founder of The Modern Manifesto, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups across climate tech, AI, SaaS, and digital health.

Maya was Managing Director for Asia Pacific at X (formerly Twitter), and previously served as Vice President of Global Strategy and Operations, leading platform growth across key international markets. She later became CEO of Terrascope, a climate tech venture backed by Olam Group, helping businesses measure and manage their carbon footprint using smart technology.

Over her career, Maya has held senior executive roles at Google, Microsoft, Cisco, and Samsung, with leadership spanning technology, AI, digital media, e-commerce, and SaaS. She also serves on the boards of Axiata Group, Saint-Gobain, Singlife, and Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

Panellist: Xu Tianyu, Generative AI Educator, Chairman - RIMAS GenAI Risk Chapter, Risk and Insurance Management Association of Singapore (RIMAS), LinkedIn Top Voice

Xu Tianyu is the Head of the Generative AI Risk Chapter at the Risk and Insurance Management Association of Singapore (RIMAS). In this role, he helps organizations understand and manage the risks of using generative AI, while promoting responsible and safe adoption of the technology.

He has more than ten years of experience working with technology companies, agencies, and brands. His work covers AI‑driven content, consumer research, and data analytics. Tianyu also runs TYAI, a consultancy focused on human‑AI collaboration, and teaches widely as a bestselling Udemy instructor with over 1,000 hours of practical AI training.

Recognised as a LinkedIn Top Voice, he is also the co‑author of Will ChatGPT Take My Job? His leadership at RIMAS and hands‑on experience make him a trusted voice on how big tech’s AI investments connect with risk, governance, and financial markets.

Moderator: JP Ong; CNBC On-Air Reporter

JP Ong is based in Singapore as On-Air Reporter for Southeast Asia, where he breaks economic developments and covers financial markets news across the region.

JP started out as a Markets Reporter for Bloomberg TV Philippines, and briefly served as an Anchor for One News’ morning program ‘Business World Live’. He then worked at Singapore Press Holdings’ radio station ‘Money FM 89.3’ as the Finance Presenter for the afternoon show, covering Singapore and global markets, as well as managing the weekly programs ‘Across the ASEAN’ and ‘Forex Fridays’.

Prior to joining the media, JP worked in the manufacturing and finance industries. He holds a Dual Degree MBA from Tsinghua University and HEC Paris, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Operations Research from Columbia University.

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